Conserved DNA Motifs,Including the CENP-B Box-like,Are Possible Promoters of Satellite DNA Array Rearrangements in Nematodes

Tandemly arrayed non-coding sequences or satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are rapidly evolving segments of eukaryotic genomes, including the centromere, and may raise a genetic barrier that leads to speciation. However, determinants and mechanisms of satDNA sequence dynamics are only partially understood. Sequence analyses of a library of five satDNAs common to the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. fallax together with a satDNA, which is specific for M. chitwoodi only revealed low sequence identity (32–64%) among them. However, despite sequence differences, two conserved motifs were recovered. One of them turned out to be highly similar to the CENP-B box of human alpha satDNA, identical in 10–12 out of 17 nucleotides. In addition, organization of nematode satDNAs was comparable to that found in alpha satDNA of human and primates, characterized by monomers concurrently arranged in simple and higher-order repeat (HOR) arrays. In contrast to alpha satDNA, phylogenetic clustering of nematode satDNA monomers extracted either from simple or from HOR array indicated frequent shuffling between these two organizational forms. Comparison of homogeneous simple arrays and complex HORs composed of different satDNAs, enabled, for the first time, the identification of conserved motifs as obligatory components of monomer junctions. This observation highlights the role of short motifs in rearrangements, even among highly divergent sequences. Two mechanisms are proposed to be involved in this process, i.e., putative transposition-related cut-and-paste insertions and/or illegitimate recombination. Possibility for involvement of the nematode CENP-B box-like sequence in the transposition-related mechanism and together with previously established similarity of the human CENP-B protein and pogo-like transposases implicate a novel role of the CENP-B box and related sequence motifs in addition to the known function in centromere protein binding.     

HYLAS: program for generating H curves (abstract three-dimensional representations of long DNA sequences)

The computer program HYLAS generates from a standard DNA lettersequence a three-dimensional space curve (H curve) which embodiesthe entire information content of the original nucleotide sequence.The program can display H curves either as two-dimensional (frontand side view) projections or as stereo-pair images. The curvescan be marked at specific nucleotide locations, annotated, rotatedfor observation from any viewing angle, and manipulated forconvenient side-by-side comparisons. Unlike the cumbersome lettersequences, H curves can be drastically condensed in size withoutlosing their ability to reflect the global nucleotide-distributionpattern of the entire DNA sequence. Often, biologically importantloci can be visually identified on the H curves. HYLAS is writtenin FORTRAN with separate mainframe (IBM- VM/CMS) and microcomputer(MS-DOS) versions. It uses the Tektronix-TCS library of graphicsubroutines. Received on October 24, 1988; accepted on July 15, 1989     

Inhibition of progesterone secretion and decrease of ovarian blood flow by isoxazole in pregnant rats

Pregnant rats were treated on day 11 of pregnancy with 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 mg of isoxazole per 100 g of body weight (bw) (Experiment I) or with 2.5 mg of isoxazole per 100 g of bw (Experiment II). In Experiment I animals were anaesthetized with pentobarbital at 48 hr. In experiment II animals were similarly anaesthetized at 0, 12, 24, or 48 hr following administration of isoxazole. Blood was collected separately from the ovary or from the uterus via a thin cannula which was inserted into the utero-ovarian vein. Blood was also collected from the vena cava inferior. The concentrations of progesterone (P), 17 beta-oestradiol (E2), and corticosterone were measured in blood samples by RIA. All of the animals exhibited reduced rates of ovarian venous blood flow and rates of P secretion when pregnancy was terminated by isoxazole (2.5 mg/100 g bw or greater). The concentration of P was found to be correspondingly reduced by 90% in ovarian venous blood and by 50% in peripheral blood, relative to the controls. After isoxazole had been administered, the rate of P secretion and also the concentration of P in peripheral blood continued to decrease rapidly and to remain at low levels for at least 48 hr. By contrast, the concentration of corticosterone in peripheral blood decreased during the first 12 hr but then it returned to the control levels by 48 hr. The ovarian secretion rate of E2 and the concentration of E2 in peripheral blood remained unchanged during the same 48 hr period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Position of the Peptide Linkage in Glutamyl-Taurine from Calf Brain Synaptic Vesicles

To elucidate the position of the peptide bond in glutamyl-taurine this dipeptide was extracted from calf brain synaptic vesicles and subjected to paper electrophoresis. It was analyzed further in an automatic amino acid analyzer prior and subsequent to acid hydrolysis. Both alpha- and gamma-forms were found to be present in approximately equal amounts.     

Somatotypes of the world's leading young football players

At the international tournament in 1982 in Moscow and Tashkent 254 leading footballers of the world from 10 national young combined teams have been undergone an anthropological examination. In all the persons examined main total body dimensions, fat mass in per cent and somatotype after B. Hint and J. Carter have been determined. The leading footballers of the world are of more than middle height and tall, the body mass is proportional to its length, the fat mass values are not great. Their specific somatotype is well-balanced mesomorphic and ectomesomorphic types. The average somatotype of the footballers examined can be presented as 1.7-5.6-2.6. The data obtained can be used when selecting and complexing national combined teams with perspective sportsmen.